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A British academic arrested in the United Arab Emirates on suspicion of spying has been released on bail.

Matthew Hedges was arrested on May 5 in Dubai on allegations of spying for a foreign state and has been held at an undisclosed prison location in the UAE since then.

Released on bail Mr Hedges has been told to remain in the UAE until his next court appearance on November 21 and has not had his passport returned to him.

He is being made to wear an ankle bracelet and was warned that, if instructed, he may have to return to jail.

Since his arrest it is believed that the 31-year-old PhD student at Durham University has been held in solitary confinement.

Mr Hedges was detained at Dubai Airport as he was leaving the country following a research trip.

He had been in the UAE completing research for his PhD. He was studying the UAE’s foreign policy and security strategy.

Matthew Hedges has been released on bail after being held in a prison in the UAECredit:
AFP

The UAE has not made public the evidence against him but it is believed that authorities grew suspicious about questions he was asking his interview subjects.

"Matt is an innocent man. He was in the UAE to finish his PhD. The evidence will undoubtedly show this,” his wife Daniela Tejada said.

She said he is tired and "shocked by everything", but in a good mood and "glad to be breathing fresh air" after his release.

Speaking to the BBC, Ms Tejada called the move a "great step" but she is "still hoping for justice".

Mr Hedges denies spying for the UK government and his family say he is entirely innocent of the charges.

After appearing in court last week during an evidence review the UAE foreign ministry put out a statement insisting that “Mr Hedges’ welfare has been appropriately supported and maintained throughout the process”.

The ministry said that he was receiving regular visits from family and British embassy officials and has been allowed access to “books and reading material of his choice”.